Challenge

Estadio Olímpico
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Merton Albion FC's John-Paul Whittingham started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Korneliusz Tyskie kicked well hit freekick during the 3rd minute of the match. The supporters of Ecuador booed when Merton Albion FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 4 match minutes in a wonderful position. Calum Crittenden didn't get a good kick on the ball. 5 minutes into the match, Merton Albion FC's goal looked a bit too open when Cristian Sancho came free, but Laurence Barraclough reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ecuador's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Daniel Zorita in the 7th minute. The corner ended in Felix Montes almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Merton Albion FC's Laurence Barraclough did a great save. With his leg Laurence Barraclough managed to avoid a goal in the 8thth minute, when Ecuador's Daniel Zorita fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. 17 minutes into the game, Daniel Zorita cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-0. Laurence Barraclough was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. 22 minutes into the match, Daniel Zorita dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Laurence Barraclough, 2-0. After a rather tough play, Merton Albion FC's Zak Bassett got a free kick in the 25th minute. Daniel Zorita could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 27th minute of the match, but Laurence Barraclough made a huge save. In the 27th minute, Ecuador's Daniel Zorita dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 3-0. 31 minutes into the match, Merton Albion FC's goalkeeper Laurence Barraclough had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Daniel Zorita. In the 36th minute John-Paul Whittingham shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Julio Vera saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. If Cristian Sancho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 37th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Felix Montenegro kicked well hit freekick during the 44th minute of the match. Daniel Zorita received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 47th minute. Laurence Barraclough tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Daniel Zorita made a kick off. Laurence Barraclough showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Daniel Zorita, who was totally free with the ball in the 51st minute. The throw-in from Primitivo Andino in the 53rd minute of the game was unfortunally taken care of by Merton Albion FC's Martyn Haines. 57 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Dean Ashton. After 60 played minutes Ecuador got a freekick which was hit by Antonio Arias. 61 minutes into the game, Dean Ashton recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Julio Vera. Dean Ashton showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 3-1. 65 minutes into the match, Merton Albion FC's goal looked a bit too open when Daniel Zorita came free, but Laurence Barraclough reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 69 minutes into the match, Merton Albion FC's goal looked a bit too open when Cristian Sancho came free, but Laurence Barraclough reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by John-Paul Whittingham in the 71st minute of play. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Dean Ashton, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 78th minute, John-Paul Whittingham hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 80th minute, Dean Ashton made a precise shot to the right of Julio Vera. Ecuador's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 3-2. John-Paul Whittingham struck a weak shot in the 84th minute. Julio Vera didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Merton Albion FC. Saško Chan kicked well hit freekick during the 85th minute of the match. Daniel Zorita fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 91st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Laurence Barraclough having to interfere. If Daniel Zorita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 93rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead.